hankyoreh

President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks at a luncheon with lawmakers of his ruling People Power Party held at Incheon Airport’s Aviation Academy on Aug. 28. (Yoon Woon-sik/The Hankyoreh)

President Yoon Suk-yeol has slammed critics of Japan’s release of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant, labeling them unscientific people who “would say that one plus one equals 100.”

“Look at what is being said about Fukushima,” Yoon said at a banquet for People Power Party lawmakers held at the Incheon Airport Aviation Academy on Monday evening. “No one making those claims believes in science, and all of that sort would say that one plus one equals 100.”

This is the first time Yoon has spoken out on the issue since Japan began flushing the contaminated water on Thursday.

In his first message to the public in the four days since Japan’s dumping began, Yoon did not seek to allay the anxiety of the Korean public or seek their understanding of the government’s determination that the discharge meets “scientific and international standards.” Instead, the president declared that “we have no choice but to fight forces” that oppose the dumping.

Saying that it is impossible to know exactly how the contaminated water poured into the sea will affect the environment and human health at this point, Yoon labeled those who are concerned about the risks as “unscientific” and refused to acknowledge them as subjects for dialogue.

“Everyone talks about cooperation, but as I said the other day, a bird can only utilize both of its wings when it knows for sure which direction it will fly,” Yoon said, turning the blame on his political opposition.

“Conservatives and liberals, left and right, should work together to develop growth and distribution, but we shouldn’t disagree on which way we’re flying,” he said. “It won’t do if we want to go forward but the other party wants to go backward.”

Yoon went on to emphasize that “in the political realm, compromise is always necessary, but we must reflect on what values we are willing to compromise on, and what our national identity is. The ruling party should, above all, have a firm direction on how we will lead the country.”

By labeling the opposition as forces that “deny” South Korea’s national identity, the president once again reiterated his unwillingness to compromise and work across the aisle.

By Bae Ji-hyun, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]